In the study, after a long while, Qi Xiao finally released Bairen. Qi Xiao gently held Bairen's waist and laughed, "I should really thank Tang Pei. For the sake of this screen, you obediently let me kiss you for half a day. It's just a pity that the great scholar Tang passed away many years ago, and I can't thank him in person. I'll have to offer him some incense one day."

Bairen blushed at Qi Xiao's teasing words. Hearing this, he said softly, "He's been gone for hundreds of years. Your Highness should accumulate some virtue in speech."

Bairen truly loved calligraphy and painting. Although he said that, he couldn't help pushing Qi Xiao away and turning back to look at the screen.

Qi Xiao gently hugged him from behind, listening to Bairen explain the profundities in the painting while continuously kissing Bairen's ear, laughing, "Although the tutors taught me before... but I'm a thoroughly vulgar person and could never calm down to listen. You're really different from me. You have the root of wisdom."

Bairen shook his head with a smile, "Your Highness praises me too much. I don't know much either. It's just that my mother loved these things very much. I was exposed to it from a young age, so I know a little."

Qi Xiao's heart stirred. He paused and said in a low voice, "Bairen, today... those people going to Lingnan will set off."

Bairen was stunned for a moment and subconsciously repeated, "They're setting off today?"

Qi Xiao nodded. Seeing Bairen's pensive look, he felt quite uncomfortable. With this expression, he was probably thinking about Cen Chaoge, right?

Qi Xiao paused and said as if casually, "I remember your study companion also left? With one less person by your side, is there anything inconvenient for you? I'll find a reliable person for you."

Bairen shook his head. Qi Xiao laughed softly, "Don't overthink it. I'm not trying to place a spy by your side."

Bairen smiled bitterly, "I didn't mean that. Besides... I'm with Your Highness day and night. Does Your Highness even need a spy?"

Qi Xiao laughed, repeating, "Day and night, you said it yourself."

Bairen forced a smile and didn't say anything. Qi Xiao knew he was feeling uncomfortable. He soothingly rubbed Bairen's back and said softly, "You... you could have just sent anyone back, but how could you send your study companion back too?"

Bairen paused. His voice was a bit hoarse, "He... he's the only son in his family and wanted to go back himself. I thought about it too. Staying with me here is not a good job after all. He has helped me a lot over the years. Now letting him go back is also fulfilling the friendship of these years."

Qi Xiao laughed inwardly. So it's mutually clearing debts? This does fit Bairen's temperament.

If it were himself... Qi Xiao sneered in his heart. Enjoying his favors, taking his silver to secretly pave the way for his future, if it were his subordinate, he would have skinned him alive. How could he let him return home safe and sound?

Qi Xiao originally wanted to test him. Seeing Bairen like this, he felt at ease. With himself wholeheartedly protecting him, given enough time, how could he worry about not being able to completely coax him back?

Thinking of how Bairen couldn't help reminding himself to be careful earlier, Qi Xiao felt extremely comforted. He laughed, "Forget it. If you lack people, just tell me. You confide in me, and I confide in you. I'm clear about what you do every day. There's no need to add people to watch you. I can't say I can give you as many people as you need, but they definitely won't harm you."

Seeing Qi Xiao so frank, Bairen couldn't help smiling, "Sure enough, there are also Your Highness's people in my residence."

Qi Xiao neither confirmed nor denied. He turned to look at the screen and said, "You said the Queen of Lingnan loves these things? Jiang Deqing..."

Jiang Deqing had been waiting outside after seeing Cen Chaoge off. Hearing this, he quickly responded, "This servant is here."

"Carefully put away this screen, and also take a few good calligraphy and paintings from the previous dynasty from the storehouse. Pack them well and send them out of the city. Tell Meng Zhiyuan that these are what the young prince obtained recently. Remembering that the Queen of Lingnan loves these things, he specifically ordered them to send these to Lingnan together." Qi Xiao turned to look at Bairen and asked, "Do you have any words for the Queen?"

Bairen quickly shook his head, "Your Highness mustn't... Bairen thanks Your Highness on behalf of the Queen for your generous sentiments, but these are things that can't be found even with money. It's really..."

"You just say if you have any other words." Qi Xiao laughed and stroked Bairen's face, chuckling softly, "How can you be so ignorant? Do you think I'm just sending the Queen some playthings? Think about it. You're alone in the capital. The Queen's heart must be very worried. But if she sees such good things you sent back to her, she'll know that you're valued in the capital and can have whatever you want. Naturally, she'll be at ease. What the items actually are is secondary."

Bairen was stunned. Hearing Qi Xiao's words, his eyes actually reddened. Qi Xiao laughed in surprise, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? You..." Qi Xiao glanced outside and lowered his voice, "How can you still want to cry?"

Since coming to the imperial city, Bairen never dared to send messages to the Queen unless absolutely necessary. One reason was that he feared it might unintentionally become a handle for ill-intentioned people. The second was that he feared the Queen would miss him even more upon seeing the items.

Bairen had come with the mindset of certain death. He was clear in his heart that the chances of seeing the Queen again were probably slim. It was better to be ruthless and not let others mention him anymore. He only hoped that with time, the Queen would forget him. If something happened to him later, the Queen would grieve a bit less.

But only Bairen himself knew the bitterness in this.

"Tell... tell my mother..." Bairen held back tears, gritting his teeth and trying hard not to cry out. He said hoarsely, "I'm all good. The people in the palace... treat me very well too. Tell her not to worry about me, and to take care... take care of herself."

Seeing the not yet healed bloodstains on Bairen's neck, thinking of Bairen's days these two months, and hearing Bairen's few words, Qi Xiao felt like something had fiercely pierced his heart. Qi Xiao sighed and lowered his head, sighing softly, "Is it that I've done too many evil deeds, and the heavens sent you to grind me down?"

Otherwise, why would he feel distressed for him again and again, and heartache for him?

Qi Xiao knew that Bairen had strong self-esteem and was unwilling to shed tears in front of others. He didn't look at him anymore and directly pulled him into his arms. He turned his head and said to the outside, "Did you hear the young prince's words? Tell them exactly as is, without missing a single word. Tell them if they get one word wrong, they don't need to come back."

Jiang Deqing quickly acknowledged. Qi Xiao lowered his head and said softly to Bairen, "They're coming to take the screen. Let's go to the bedchamber first, alright?"

Bairen nodded. After a long while, he finally raised his head from Qi Xiao's embrace. Together with Qi Xiao, he headed towards the bedchamber.

In the warm chamber of the bedchamber, Qi Xiao acted as if he didn't notice Bairen's slightly reddened eyes and chuckled softly, "I just remembered, I should also send some silk and satin to the Queen and Princess. I don't know how many colors and fabrics are in my storage, left unused for years."

Qi Xiao's consideration touched Bairen deeply. He lowered his head and said, "I have already received so many things from Your Highness. I am worried now... when my mother sees that screen, she may not believe it's something I could possess."

"Wouldn't that make it even more apparent how well-regarded you are in the Imperial City?" Qi Xiao deliberately teased him with a smile, "Even the Crown Prince offered his treasured possession of many years to pay respects to you, which shows your esteemed status in the capital."

Bairen couldn't help but laugh. Qi Xiao sat beside him and said with a smile, "I can probably guess what you were thinking before. You wholeheartedly care for the Queen, but how do you know the Queen doesn't wholeheartedly care for you too? By enduring like this and not frequently communicating with her, you'll only make her feel worse."

Bairen nodded in acceptance of the advice. Suddenly, he realized that Qi Xiao had lost his mother at a young age, yet could understand the matters between mother and son so clearly. Who knows how much unspeakable hardship he had endured?

Bairen couldn't help but feel distressed for Qi Xiao. After hesitating for a moment, he held Qi Xiao's hand and said softly, "Thank you... thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance. I understand now."

"That's the way it should be. From now on, come and go frequently, and there's no need to avoid people. Every month, openly send things to Lingnan. You are paying respects to your father, the King, and your mother, the Queen. What can others say? This way, you won't have to hold it in your heart every day, and your mother will also feel much more at ease."

It must be said that Qi Xiao lived more freely than Bairen for a reason. Seeing the gratitude and relief in Bairen's eyes, he changed the subject and said, "This crown bestows favors without expecting repayment, but since the young prince insists on thanking me, then I shall not decline..."

Qi Xiao pulled Bairen into his arms and lowered his head to kiss his lips.

Qi Xiao previously didn't think such restrained intimacy meant much, but after experiencing it a few times with Bairen, he became more and more enchanted. Due to the earlier events, Bairen was much more submissive than usual.

As Qi Xiao's passion grew, his hands mischievously slid into Bairen's clothes. Bairen squirmed, about to struggle, but Qi Xiao coaxed him in a soft whisper, "Don't shy away... You know my temperament. Be good, don't force me to get angry..."

Bairen paused for a moment, not daring to refuse anymore. Qi Xiao gently caressed Bairen's delicate skin and chuckled softly, "Be obedient... once you get used to it, you'll like it..."

Bairen's cheeks flushed crimson as he tightly grasped Qi Xiao's clothes. Qi Xiao indulged in intimacy with him for quite a while before releasing him. He kissed him with a smile and said, "Feeling better now? See, it's great to be affectionate like this. You forget your worries, and I get benefits too."

Bairen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Qi Xiao smiled and kissed his forehead, saying, "Bairen, don't be sad... Your suffering these past two months hasn't been in vain. Lingnan has suffered from natural disasters for several consecutive years. This autumn's harvest can only barely get them through this winter. When the time comes next year during the lean season... this food will save their lives."

Qi Xiao's gaze was gentle yet firm, "Bairen, this is all your virtuous deed."